Dhurtakhyan

SR No.: 001861
Original Sutra Author: Haribhadrasuri
Author: Jinvijay
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 160
Language: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Book_Devnagari, Story, Literature, P000, & P030
File Size: 14 MB

Page 42

A CRITICAL STUDY
11
because the tail of Hanumat was so long as to encircle the city of Lanka which was burnt by it on its being covered with clothes, sprinkled with oil and ignited, He further added : It is quite possible that you became a lizard and a manga plant, because we hear in the Purānas thus: 9) Gandhārikavara transformed himself into a Kurabaka tree. 10) Then there was that mighty king Nahuşa who vanquished Indra; but being cursed by Bphaspati, he became a boa in a forest. When Pāņdavas were banished into wilderness, the boa swallowed Bhima. Dharma gave necessary replies to the boa which consequently vomitted Bhima and which became the king at last.'
Khandapānā requested the rest of the rogues to accept quietly her authority, and then she would entertain them with a feast. In case she were to defeat them actually, they would be as worthless as a broken cowrie. The rogues thundered in reply that no one, not even a divine rogue, can vanquish them. With a view to put them to shame, she continued her biography and addressed them further: “With king's permission, I visited many places in search of those clothes blown off by the wind. I had lost, moreover, four of my servants since long; and in search of them I came here. I find now that you are those very servants and that you are wearing those very clothes. Either you accept this as true and be my slaves; or if you do not, well, give the feast." All of them felt ashamed; as they were outwitted, they accepted her as their chief; and they requested her to entertain all the rogues during the rainy week, (V. 38-78).
Khandapānā smiled to see that their manly vanity was smashed; but when they all insisted on getting a feast from her, she agreed to that. Sho went to the burial ground which presented a hedious and horrible spectacle. She managed to get a dead baby which was physically intact and lately dropped there. After bathing it and muffling it in rags, she entered Ujjaini, approached a banker's mansion, and addressed the busy banker that she was a Brāhmin's daughter, that she had lately delivered a son, and that she was badly in need of money. The busy banker got irritated and asked his servants to drive her out. When force was used, she fell on the ground; and she started beating her breast etc. and lamenting loudly that her son, the only hope of her life, was killed by the banker who was so proud of his wealth. The banker was upset, and with all efforts tried to console her, requesting her not to raise a cry. He gave her an ear-ring and asked her to remove the child quietly. She removed the dead body, and by that banker's gift everything was allright. After throwing the dead babe, she went to the jewel-market jubilantly; she sold the ring and gave a rich feast to the rogues who were shivering with cold. They all heartily congratulated her on her skill and generosity, and openly confessed that woman is wiser by birth than man. (V. 79-110).
In this world various personalities like Candra, Indra, Vāyu, Sürya, Agni and Dharma are all oppressed by passions. According to the scripture,